Improve hygiene, sanitation in schools for better learning

posted 1 Sep 2016, 22:57 by RCN Uganda

For all Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) endeavors that have been achieved, can we now state with certainty that everybody is putting all the knowledge they have acquired to practice?Have we delivered the much desired objective to say schools (not forgetting communities outside school) now experience better learning owing to improved WASH practices? From what we read and see going on, especially around the countryside, many schools still have a lot to do. We know too well that communities require water flowing constantly, with proper sanitation facilities.To achieve this, they ought to immediately transform the knowledge they have into practice. Yes, WASH messages have been preached. But we cannot equally match that with current practices.WASH habits do not seem to be giving us the joy we crave for. Not with the cholera and dysentery outbreaks. So where do we start?Any new facility must be accompanied by user know-how, regardless of how simple it is. It means there must be on-going training, so users can learn and demonstrate this learning practically. This will make them remember the vital moments, when hands should be washed.We want to see that change. So that when the bell rings for break or lunch, the first thing triggered on students’ minds is to immediately wash hands before eating anything. Schools without WASH facilities have to provide them. Because many lack these facilities, children (and older people) often utilize open land to dispose waste and run the risk catching diseases.With facilities provided and constant training, there will be clean latrines and children will access better quality water, hence less likelihood of falling sick. By Simon J Mone,